Please chance me for Duke ED

fictions
Sat, 31 Aug 2019 22:55:50 +0000

Hello, everyone!

I am a current high school senior & have had my eye on Duke ever since I participated in their 7th grade TIP talent search. It is 100% my dream school, so I will be applying Early Decision in November in hope of raising my chances of getting in (which I believe are drawn down a bit due to my ACT score). Despite this weakness, I believe that I have a pretty unique resume and that my interests/achievements/ideology are aligned with Duke’s values. It would mean a lot to me if I could receive some insight into my likelihood!

Numbers to crunch
GPA: 4.0 (Unweighted) & 5.0 (Weighted)
ACT: 32 (Though I will be taking another shot in 2 weeks, and hope to bump up to a 33 or 34)
Class rank: #1

APs
10th: European History
11th: U.S. History (5), Environmental Science (4)
12th: Literature/Composition, Statistics, U.S. Government, Comparative Government
I have also taken all advanced courses for my non-AP options.

Extracurriculars/Work
-For the past 2 years, I’ve been the Marketer and Social Media Manager for a youth curatorial board that organizes local art shows. My roles included installation/deinstallation of shows, supervision of opening nights, artist communication, high school program outreach, payroll, grant application, and graphic design. I think that this was a unique opportunity & may stand out amongst work experience!
-Member of Art Club for 4 years, running for president this year
-NHS member for 2 years
-President of Garden Club

My 4 “spikes”

1. Music
I have been creating and producing original songs and music videos for 4 years. This summer, I released my first single across all major music streaming apps, and I plan to release an EP next month. To gain exposure, I run a website, YouTube channel, and Instagram account for my music.

2. Visual Art
In addition to Art Club and my curatorial job, I have been showcased in 5 art shows and won 2 contests. I also have a photography website with an in-depth gallery of my pieces.

3. Special Education
Interpersonal Skills is a class that connects special education students and general education students through community service work. In this course, I learned about support tactics for my peers with special needs, participated in bonding activities and organized community service events. In my sophomore year, I led two projects: our school’s first annual Trunk-or-Treat and a supply drive for the Bert Nash homeless outreach program. In my junior year, I was a teacher’s aide for one of the special education teachers. My role included assisting individuals with classwork and life skills, and I shadowed a paraprofessional in a theater class. In my senior year, I will volunteer in a pre-school Life Skills class and assist with several other IPS projects.

4. Environmentalism
After volunteering at a middle school garden for a season and maintaining a verified Monarch Watch Way-station in my home garden, I began to realize the benefits that a school garden would offer for myself and my peers. Thus, I created Garden Club. I also created an “Applied APES” independent study wherein I will write a grant for solar panels, introduce composting to the lunchroom, take care of our Science Department’s prairie, and organize a school-wide Sustainability Fair.

Letters of Recommendation
I have written formal requests for my rec letters from 2 very different teachers: one that can speak to my academic skills/ambition/creativity & one that can speak to my personal character. I am close with both teachers and expect a 9/10 or 10/10 rating on both. I am also on extremely positive terms with my counselor, and expect a glowing (albeit more generic) letter from him as well.

Gender: Female
Race: White
Location: Kansas

Thank you in advance for your advice/insight! Please let me know if any further elaboration or clarity is needed.